Galway turf-cutting trial adjourned

The case against four Galway men who are facing trial for allegedly cutting turf on a Special Area of Conservation has been adjourned until 2 July.

The four have been charged in relation to three separate incidents at Clonmoylan Bog in south Co Galway last year.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in May and August 2012.

The men, Michael D'Arcy, from Ballycahill, Killimor, Pat McDonagh, from Portumna, Tony Porter from Woodford and 57-year-old Padraic Byrne from Main Street Killimor, appeared before Galway Circuit Court this morning.

During a brief hearing before Judge Keenan Johnson, the court heard the case was being adjourned pending further disclosure by the State ahead of the trial.

A group of around 200 protesters gathered outside Galway Courthouse during this morning's proceedings in a show of solidarity with the four men.